WHERE TO PLAY
Perfect fit for an Open The Old Course would be a perfect fit for the Open Championship, a test for the best, yet sadly it is unlikely to be af- forded the opportunity to join the Open rota. The access for large crowds would be a colossal problem in those heaving seaside dunes. Spectators would have to walk on the sides of the fairways, as the rough is thick with wiry grass, knotty tufts, broom, and heather, that not only restricts movement, but also encases golf balls in their midst. The New Course at Trump Interna- tional will not, though, be overshad- owed by the Old, which has been the case at St Andrews. This is a triumphant design which is significantly different to the Old, even though it too ventures into the wilderness of dunes which is such a dramatic feature of the property. The Old was designed as a pure champion- ship layout by Martin Hawtree; the New has its own equally pleasing identity. It sensibly had a different design team, which is the trend today at many multi- course facilities. Each must be played if you’re visiting Balmedie because they complement each other so perfectly. Play one, and not the other, and you’re doing yourself a disservice. Doubling up does make it an expen- sive outing though. The green fee varies between £396 (off-peak) and £495 (there is dynamic pricing in summer), which means a likely outlay of more than R20 000 for a South African wanting the full 36-hole experience. Green fees at high-end links in Scotland have be- come prohibitively expensive thanks to increased demand from the American market to play bucket list destinations. Kingsbarns near St Andrews is £450. At those fees it’s no wonder that los- ing a few golf balls around these courses would seem inconsequential. I said fare- well to 12 balls during my two rounds, due to the simple fact that I am incapable of hitting every fairway off the tee. Some of the fairways are generously wide, but others less so, notably the opening holes on each course. Everyone starts at No 1, even though the Old Course returns to the clubhouse after nine holes. The New Course is an out-and-back design, hav- ing its own halfway house, situated be- tween the seventh and 15th tees.
Intimidating opening holes Both courses begin with strong par 5s from elevated tees which I found in- timidating as opening holes on a fresh Scottish day. However, they are not in- dicative of what is to come. The fairways generally open up more as you get into the courses, boosting your confidence, particularly on the closing holes of the New Course, where they are generously wide. I would have preferred that kind NEW COURSE TENTH HOLE This is a short par 4 of less than 250 metres where the green is perched high on a ridge. Finding the sinuous fairway off the tee is paramount.
of welcome on the first tee when I was loosening up. The two courses are similar in length, especially playing from the three for- ward men’s tees – there are six teeing options altogether, including red spe- cifically for women. The black tees are terrifying – yet very much worth look- ing at to cast your eye over the challenge ahead – and even the gold tees at around 6 500 metres are daunting for a scratch
88 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025
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